DHAKA, May 16, 2020 (BSS) – Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid
Maleque today inaugurated the newly constructed building with 200-bed
capacity of Anwar Khan Modern Hospital for treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“The newly constructed building of Anwar Khan Modern Hospital has been
handed over to the government…. the newly constructed building of the
hospital has been dedicated to the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” he told a
function at the hospital in the city, an official release said.
Chairman of Anwar Khan Medical College and Hospital Dr Anwar Hossain Khan,
MP, Secretary of Health Service Division Ashadul Islam, Secretary of Health
Education Division Ali Nur and President of Bangladesh Private Medical
College Association Mubin Khan, were present, among others, at the function.
Maleque said the hospital with 200-bed capacity will make a significant
contribution to the much-needed healthcare services for patients infected
with the lethal virus.
With 10 ICUs, the hospital is equipped with five ventilators and other
medical devices. Besides, a PCR lab has been installed in the hospital to
perform sample tests of COVID-19 suspected cases.
The health minister said with this hospital, the total number of COVID-19
dedicated hospitals has stood at 14 in the capital. Around 15-20 thousand
people can get treatment facilities from these hospitals. If necessary, the
government has a plan to increase the number of beds at these hospitals in
future, he added.
The government has been working relentlessly to contain the spread of
COVID-19 across the country. To increase the testing facilities for halting
the spread of COVID-19, 42 PCR labs have been installed across the country.
The health minister said the government has recruited 7000 medical
professionals at a quickest possible time in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Maleque said the government is also planning to introduce plasma therapy
and use of COVID-19 drug remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 patients in the
country.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) sources said the
government has collected 22,17,339 PPE so far, of which over 18,72,066 were
distributed and 3,45,273 are in stock. At present, the country has 329 ICUs
and 102 dialysis units, they said adding, there are 8632 isolation beds in
the country and 2900 of them are in Dhaka city.